Ala. senator believes Flexibility Bill could improve education

Orr said it is promising that some version of the flexibility bill should come through the state legislature this session.

DECATUR, AL (WAFF) -

A plan to let Alabama school systems get around some state regulations could be headed for success with a little retooling.

State Senator Arthur Orr said the School Flexibility Bill has plenty of support in the senate.

The bill was approved in the state house last week.

It would let school districts apply to make some of their own decisions on hiring and funding instead of being bound by state regulations.

The teachers union has come out against it, but Orr said it can improve education in the state.

"Sometimes change is difficult and sometimes going through the process of change can be disturbing, however, sometimes change can be good," said Orr. "The needs of the Black Belt are very different from Huntsville, Madison County and the surrounding areas and so this will allow us to do some innovative things in the world of education in Alabama."

Orr said lawmakers will have to work out differences between the house and senate versions of the flexibility bill.

A major one could be possible changes in the rules for teachers' tenure.

The bills are different from each other on that issue.

Orr said it is promising that some version of the flexibility bill should come through the state legislature this session.

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